The continuous global rise of Afrobeats has led to Nigerian artists making notable appearances on the soundtracks of popular video games and movies. In the latest instance, Rema, Shallipopi, Omah Lay, and Obongjayer have been featured on the soundtrack of the 32nd installment of a popular football video game.
This inclusion highlights the increasing influence of Afrobeats on international platforms, placing Nigerian musicians alongside global stars and marking a milestone in the genre’s journey to worldwide recognition.
These Nigerian Afrobeats stars are joined on the soundtrack by a diverse range of international artists, including American musicians Asap Rocky, Ice Spice, Billie Eilish, Anderson Paak, and the band Twenty One Pilots.
Additionally, the album features performances from Coldplay, Central Cee, Charlie XCX, J Balvin, and Fred Again.
This eclectic mix of musical styles further emphasizes the universal appeal of Afrobeats, which now shares the stage with well-established global genres such as pop, rap, and alternative rock.
The inclusion of Rema, Shallipopi, and Omah Lay on the game’s soundtrack continues a growing tradition of Nigerian Afrobeats stars being featured in international gaming culture.
Nigerian-UK-based singer Obongjayer is also part of the soundtrack, further strengthening the presence of Nigerian talent on the global scene.
This is not the first time Nigerian artists have been featured on such platforms; in FIFA 23, artists like Pheelz and BNXN were included, along with Olamide, BadBoy Timz, and Seun Kuti, further cementing Afrobeats’ role in mainstream entertainment.
Nigerian artists have been part of video game soundtracks for over a decade, with notable early inclusions such as Fireboy’s “Party Scatter” in the FIFA 2021 edition and Nneka’s “Kangpe” featuring Wesley Williams in FIFA 2010.
These appearances underline Afrobeats’ growing dominance in global music, as Nigerian artists continue to break new ground and reach new audiences through their unique sound, further expanding their influence in global pop culture.
